גְּזֵרָה (ge.ze.rah)
ge.ze.rah
isolation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gezerah appears only once in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 16:22 within the Priestly description of the Day of Atonement. It translates to a separation or a separate place, describing the ritual state of the scapegoat sent into the wilderness.
Its root relates to cutting or decreeing, implying a decisive act of division. Here, it signifies the complete removal of sin from the community’s midst. The goat bearing these iniquities is not merely moved away but is placed in a zone of total isolation, far from human habitation.
This single usage highlights the tangible nature of atonement in ancient Israelite worship. Sin is treated as something that must be physically separated from the holy camp to restore purity. The word underscores that forgiveness involves not just pardon, but the actual removal of defilement to a distant place.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gezerah appears only once in Scripture, describing the scapegoat sent into the wilderness on the Day of Atonement. This term signifies a decisive separation, marking a place where sin is removed entirely from the community. It reminds us that forgiveness is not just a change of status but a tangible removal of what separates us from God.
In Leviticus 16:22, the goat carries iniquities to a solitary land, illustrating complete isolation from human habitation. This vivid image shows that true atonement requires dealing with sin directly and thoroughly. We can find comfort in knowing that our burdens are not left behind but are taken far away.
When we feel weighed down by guilt or shame, this ancient ritual offers a picture of hope. God does not ignore our failures; He removes them completely. This promise assures us that we are free to walk forward without the heavy burden of past wrongs holding us back.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- infertile1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּזֵרָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 16:22
The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.
This verse uses gezerah to define the 'solitary land' as a zone of total separation where sin is permanently removed from the camp.